KNANAYA MARRIAGE CEREMONY

 
Kaipidutham : Betrothal ceremony by blessing the hands of the uncles of the bride and groom by the priest
   
my-lanchi ideel :

Beutification of the palms and feet of bride by the leaves from “Mylanchi” shrub on the eve of marriage. This signifies the purification of hands and feet from the original sin committed by Adam and Eve.
   
Chantham charthal :

Purification or beautification of the bride groom by shaving face and bathing with oils, etc on the eve of marriage.

   
Icha-Pad – kodukkal : Ceremony of giving sweet pudding to the  bride and groom in their home after the beatification ceremony.
   
Nadavili :

Cheer’s (NaDa NaDaye …… NaDa NaDa NaDa) given to the bride and bride groom while going home after the marriage. (It also serves to alert the wedding receptionists to complete their final touches)
   
Thali : Thali is a golden cross made up of 21 minute buds embossed on it distinguishes itself from thali’s of other Christian and non-Christians using of thread made up of seven yarns taken from the bridal veil, for the tying of thali.
   
Nellum Neerum :

Sign of cross done using the blessed palm leaves (from palm Sunday) wedded in the patty rice water, on the forehead of the bride and groom wishing them God’s blessing and happiness.
   
Vazhu Pidutham :

The rite of giving God’s blessing to bride and groom by the mother of bride by placing her hands in the form of a cross on their heads
   
Kacha Thazhukal : A ceremony using a new piece of cloth given to bride’s relatives as a gift by the groom’s party (usually to bride’s mother, grand mother and maternal uncle)
   

Vakathanam
Location of Vakathanam in Kerala and India
 
Country India
 
State Kerala
 
District(s) Kottayam
 
Nearest city Kottayam,Changanacherry
 
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
 
Vakathanam is a Panchayat in Kottayam district of Kerala, India. It is 15 km from kottayam on the way to changanacherry via puthupally . Vakathanam panchayat consists of two villages
 
• Vakathanam
• Thottakkad
 
History
 

Ancient times Vakathanam was ruled by Kings of Thekkumkur. Njaliakuzhy was the place where the culprits were executed by hanging. The exact spot of ancient Njaliakuzhy is near the present CSI Church, a little away from the present Njaliakuzhy junction. Currently Njalikuzhy is the main junction where panchayat office and the bus stand are situated. Vakathanam is well linked by road with Kottayam, Changanacherry, Puthupally, Chingavanam, Karukachal, etc.
 

The terrain is hilly. Western border of the panchayat has vast paddy fields. Fundamentally an agricultural village, earlier vakathanam was famous for Tapioca and Jackfruit. Now rubber trees are grown in the place of tapioca. Vakathanam is an important commercial centre of Kottayam. The chief crops are rice and rubber.
 
Religious institutions include temples and churches. Manikandapuram temple (which is mentioned also in Unnuneeli Sandesam, written in the 14th century) is the most ancient religious worship centre, built by the Thekumkur Kings probably in the 14th or 15th century. The Orthodox Syrian Church is the numerically biggest Christian denomination in Vakathanam. Among the Christians the Knanaya Christians were the first ones to settle down at Vakathanam, came mostly from Thodupuzha. St. John's Orthodox Church is the oldest Christian church, built in 1847, until which year the Orthodox faithful had Puthupally church as their parish. Mar Baselius Geevarghese I or Vallikkattu Bava (Catholicos of the Orthodox Syrian Church from 1925 to 1928) was a gift of Vakathanam to the Malankara Church. The Knanaya Christians had their parish in Kottayam Valiyapally and Kottayam Edacattu church, until the construction of
 
Puthussery church for the Knanaya Jacobites and St Mathew's Catholic Church for Knanaya Catholics in 1910 at Njaliakuzhy. Besides the members of the above-mentioned Churches, the believers of the Catholic Church, Syrian Orthodox Church (the famous St. Adai's church, Nalunnakal, belongs to this Church), Mar Thomma Church, CSI Church,etc. are also present and active at Vakathanam. Vakathanam is a centre of fine and exemplary religious harmony. Nadan Panthu kali is the famous sports in vakathanam. Vakathanam lacks a cultural centre where the youngsters can develop their talents and aptitude for cultural items like traditional dance, music, Indian musical instruments, and the like.
 
Demographics
 
Population: 31222 (male-15559, Female-15663)
    • Literacy Rate: 97%
Population density: 1179/km²
 
List of Government offices
 
Panchayat office Vakathanam
Village office Vakathanam
Village office Thottakkad
KSEB office
Krishi Bhavan
 
List of Banks
 
State Bank of Travancore (ATM is at Njaliakuzhi Branch, which accept all major cards including Visa & Mastercard). mailto:vakathanam@sbt.co.in
Vakathanam Village Co-Operative Society
    Kottayam District Co-Operative Bank
    South Indian Bank (ATM is at Njaliakuzhi Branch, which accept all major cards including Visa & Mastercard)
     
    List of Schools
     
    JMHS, Vakathanam
    Govt LPBS, Unnamattom
    MGEM Higher Secondary school Njaliyakuzhi
    S.Geroge U.P.School,Eravuchira
    MD U.P school, Vakathanam
    Govt Hr secondary school, Thrikothamangalam
    Govt LPBS, Marangattu
    NSS U.P School, Eravinallor
    Gregorian Higher Secondary School , Nalunnakkal
     

    List of Colleges
    M.G.University College of Teacher Education,Thottakkad
     
    List of Hospitals
     
    Govt Hospital Vakathanam
    Primary Health centers (3 NOS)
    Govt Ayurvedic Hospital
    Govt Homeopathic Hospitals
    Govt Veterinary Hospital
    Other Private Hospitals
     
    Telecom and Communication Offices/Establishments
     
    Main Post Office Njaliyakuzhi
    ED Post Offices at other locations (7 NOS)
    BSNL exchange & SDE office Njaliakuzhi
    Other private Telecom operators , such as Hutch, Idea, Reliance, Airtel
     
    List of Religious establishments
     
    St. John's Orthodox Church (Vakathanam Valiyapally)
    Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church Join Orkut Community
    St. Simon's Knanaya Jacobite church
    St. Mathew's Knanaya Catholic church, Njaliakuzhy
    Manikandapuram Temple
    Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha(P.R.D.S )Thottakkadu,Pulickapadu
     
    Law establishment agencies
     
    Police Station, Vakathanam Circle. Contact (24 X 7) : CI of Police - 9846903262, SHO - 9745769355 (Kerala Police Contact Info.
     
    Petrol Bunks
     
    Couple of petrol bunks are there , which sells Petrol ,diseal and Lubricants.
    One is located near Unammattom , on the way to changanacherry from njaliakuzy . Other one is situated to north of Njaliakuzhy junction .
     
    Orkut Community
     
    Malayalam Poem